Terrell's final drop

Bears release controversial underperformer

In his four seasons with the Bears, David Terrell delivered controversy on and off the field.

What he didn't deliver was enough receptions and touchdowns to offset the penalties and distractions he created.

So on Monday, two days after they signed Muhsin Muhammad, the Bears released their 2001 first-round draft pick.

"The bottom line was we needed an upgrade at the receiver position," general manager Jerry Angelo said. "We were able to add a Pro Bowl wideout, and those kind of moves can affect others on the team."

Terrell's agent, Paul Lawrence, said Terrell would have no comment Monday as he "digests what happened." Terrell found out from coach Lovie Smith Monday morning, Lawrence said.

The Bears had no interest in letting Terrell start opposite Muhammad in light of his 2004 production. Although his 42 catches tied Bobby Wade for the team lead, nine came in one game, against Philadelphia on Oct. 3.

When the Bears traded Marty Booker to Miami as part of the Adewale Ogunleye deal in August, Terrell got the chance to be the Bears' premier receiver.

Although he led the Bears in receptions, he also had 11 penalties, an uncommonly high figure for a receiver.

In the Oct. 24 game at Tampa Bay, his pass interference call away from the play wiped out a Jonathan Quinn touchdown pass to Thomas Jones.

Terrell often had trouble dealing with frustration, even when he was playing well. In the 2004 season opener against Detroit, in which he had five catches for a career-high 126 yards, he made obscene gestures to the fans. It was also the first 100-yard receiving game of his career.

In the Nov. 14 game at Tennessee, he slammed the ball to the turf in front of Tennessee coach Jeff Fisher, who lobbied for an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty. The NFL fined Terrell $5,000 for his actions. It was one of Terrell's three drops in a game the Bears won thanks to special teams and defense.

Terrell was often in the headlines for his myriad traffic violations. Smith met privately with Terrell about his behavior during the season but publicly defended him.

As recently as last weekend at the NFL combine in Indianapolis, Smith praised Terrell for balancing the duties of a professional football player and a single father, and indicated he wouldn't be cut. The Muhammad signing changed that.

Terrell was no favorite of the coaching staff of Smith's predecessor, Dick Jauron. In 2003, Terrell was behind Booker and Dez White on the depth chart. The Bears let White leave for Atlanta as a free agent last winter, moving Terrell up to a starting role.

Terrell left Michigan, where he caught 23 TD passes in three seasons, with a year of eligibility left and questions about a foot injury. The Bears spent the eighth pick of the 2001 draft on Terrell, and gave him a $7.3 million signing bonus.

After showing promise as a rookie with 34 catches and four touchdowns, he got off to a good start in 2002, catching three TD passes in the first five games before a broken foot ended his season. He caught the game-winning touchdown passes as the Bears opened the season with victories over Minnesota and Atlanta.

But in the last two seasons, that promise was never fulfilled.

"It is unfortunate things didn't turn out better for David in Chicago," said Angelo, who was hired two months after Terrell was drafted, in a statement. "Our decision to release David had nothing to do with his passion for the game or the effort he gave us on Sunday. He brought a lot of energy to the game. He also was one of our leading contributors in our community programs. He gave a lot to Chicago."

Terrell, who turns 26 on March 13, was scheduled to make a relatively modest $925,000 in 2005, so finances did not play a major role in the decision. But Terrell was due a $200,000 roster bonus Wednesday, the start of free agency.

Terrell's departure makes the Bears' 2001 draft a wipeout. Running back Anthony Thomas, the second-round pick, is leaving as a free agent. Guard Mike Gandy was cut during the 2004 season. All they have to show for that draft is cornerback R.W. McQuarters, who was obtained from San Francisco for a sixth-round pick.

Muhammad becomes the Bears' No. 1 receiver, but they should have plenty of playing time for three young receivers, including Wade, a fifth-round pick in 2003.

Bernard Berrian, a third-round pick last year, had two touchdown catches among his 15 receptions as a rookie.

Justin Gage, also a fifth-round pick in 2003, had 12 catches in 2004.

The Bears are still in the market for a receiver, one of the deepest positions in this year's draft.

Once the free agency signing period begins, the Bears will be looking for a veteran backup quarterback and an offensive lineman, particularly one who can challenge Qasim Mitchell for a starting job at right tackle.

Among the quarterbacks, the Bears have expressed an interest in former Miami starter Jay Fiedler. The most intriguing, affordable tackle on the market appears to be Fred Miller, cut by Tennessee in a salary-cap move.